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Flyers sign All-Star Travis Konecny to an 8-year extension worth $70 million
Stephen Whyno, Associated Press | Updated July 25 - 12:51 p.m. | Save Story
The Philadelphia Flyers have signed All-Star forward Travis Konecny to an eight-year extension worth $70 million. The deal announced Thursday keeps Konecny under contract through the 2032-33 NHL season. The 27-year-old set career highs with 33 goals and 68 points last season. He was set to be an unrestricted free agent next summer and as a result had been the subject of trade buzz in recent months. Instead, the Flyers committed to Konecny being part of their long-term core as they shift from rebuilding mode into contending after the arrival of top prospect Matvei Michkov earlier this week.
Buffalo Sabres agree to sign goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to a 5-year, $23.75 million contract
John Wawrow, Associated Press | Posted July 24 - 4:51 p.m. | Save Story
Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen went from being the Buffalo Sabres' third-string goalie at the beginning of last season to their potential long-term answer in net after agreeing to a five-year, $23.75 million contract. The deal comes as the restricted free agent was scheduled to have his contract determined in arbitration in the next two weeks. For the 25-year-old from Finland, the contract provides long-term security for a player whose future was uncertain in Buffalo over the past two years. For the Sabres, the signing has the potential of filling what's been an unsettled position since trading Ryan Miller to St. Louis during the 2013-14 season.
Oilers hire Bowman as GM less than 3 years since he resigned after Blackhawks sexual assault scandal
The Associated Press | Updated July 24 - 2:56 p.m. | Save Story
The Edmonton Oilers have hired Stan Bowman as general manager and executive vice president of hockey operations. Bowman is the first former Chicago Blackhawks employee to be re-hired by an NHL team since the 2010 sexual assault scandal came to light in recent years. The team announced the hiring Wednesday. The league reinstated Bowman, coach Joel Quenneville and fellow executive Al MacIsaac earlier this month. Bowman resigned as Chicago's GM in 2021 after an independent investigation found the organization mishandled the allegations made by player Kyle Beach that he was sexually assaulted by video coach Brad Aldridge.
Bulls, Blackhawks owners unveil $7 billion plan to transform area around United Center
Andrew Seligman, Associated Press | Updated July 23 - 12:05 p.m. | Save Story
The owners of the NBA's Chicago Bulls and NHL's Blackhawks unveiled a $7 billion plan Tuesday to replace the parking lots surrounding the United Center with green space, mixed-income housing, a music hall and more. The 1901 Project, touted as the largest private investment in Chicago's West Side, is being spearheaded by the Reinsdorf and Wirtz families, who own the arena. It would be built in phases on more than 55 acres of privately owned land over about a decade-long period starting as soon as next spring if approved by the city.
Buffalo Sabres avert arbitration by agreeing to sign forward Beck Malenstyn to a 2-year contract
The Associated Press | Updated July 23 - 10:26 a.m. | Save Story
The Buffalo Sabres averted salary arbitration by agreeing to sign newly acquired forward Beck Malenstyn to a two-year, $2.7 million contract. The 26-year-old Malenstyn was a restricted free agent and had opted for salary arbitration earlier this month. The Sabres acquired the hard-hitting left winger in a trade with the Washington Capitals during the second day of the NHL draft in Las Vegas last month. Malenstyn is listed at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds. He is being counted upon to add a physical presence to what is expected to be a fully retooled fourth line.
Columbus Blue Jackets hire Dean Evason as their next coach
Stephen Whyno, Associated Press | Updated July 22 - 1:14 p.m. | Save Story
The Columbus Blue Jackets have hired Dean Evason as coach. This is his second head coaching job in the NHL. Evason spent parts of the past five seasons coaching the Minnesota Wild. New Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell fired Pascal Vincent not long after taking over control of the organization's hockey operations department. Evason will be Columbus' third coach in as many seasons not counting Mike Babcock being hired and resigning on the eve of training camp last September. The team said Monday that Evason agreed to a multiyear contract.
Evgeny Kuznetsov clears unconditional waivers, has his NHL contract terminated by the Hurricanes
Stephen Whyno, Associated Press | Updated July 18 - 10:46 a.m. | Save Story
The Carolina Hurricanes and Evgeny Kuznetsov have mutually terminated his NHL contract. Kuznetsov on Thursday cleared unconditional waivers when he went unclaimed by the league's other 31 teams. He is now free to sign anywhere in the world after walking away from the final $6 million owed to him in the final season of his deal. Reports emerged earlier in the week that Kuznetsov was going home to Russia to play in the KHL. Carolina acquired Kuznetsov from Washington before the trade deadline in March. His departure from North America removes any obligations on the salary cap for the Hurricanes and Capitals.
The Islanders have signed restricted free agent forward Simon Holmstrom to a 1-year contract
The Associated Press | Posted July 16 - 3:12 p.m. | Save Story
The New York Islanders have signed forward Simon Holmstrom to a one-year contract. The Islanders announced the signing of the 23-year-old restricted free agent from Sweden on Tuesday. Holmstrom had 15 goals and 10 assists in 75 games last season. His five short-handed goals and seven short-handed points led the team and ranked second overall in the NHL. The Islanders selected him with the 23rd pick in the 2019 NHL draft. He has 21 goals and 13 assists in 125 NHL games and 27 goals and 43 assists in 154 games with the Islanders' AHL affiliate in Connecticut.
Blues' Torey Krug diagnosed with pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle, could miss the season
The Associated Press | Posted July 16 - 3:05 p.m. | Save Story
St. Louis Blues defenseman Torey Krug is in danger of missing the entire 2024-25 NHL season after being diagnosed with pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle. The team announced Tuesday that Krug will work to rehabilitate the injury without surgery over the next six to eight weeks before being re-evaluated. If an operation is needed, the 33-year-old would be out for the season. The team says the diagnosis is a cumulative result of a bone fracture earlier in his career. Krug injured his left ankle in a preseason game in 2018 while playing for Boston.
Quinton Byfield agrees to a 5-year, $31.25 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Kings
The Associated Press | Posted July 15 - 5:32 p.m. | Save Story
Forward Quinton Byfield has agreed to a five-year, $31.25 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Kings. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NHL draft has a deal running through the 2028-29 season. The 21-year-old Byfield made significant strides last season with the Kings, recording a career-high 20 goals and 35 assists while playing 80 games. He was the first Los Angeles player to record a 20-goal season at his age since captain Anze Kopitar in 2007-08.
Former tennis player Mardy Fish wins the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament
The Associated Press | Updated July 14 - 6:34 p.m. | Save Story
Former tennis player Mardy Fish won the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament for the second time Sunday, holding off NHL player Joe Pavelski by four points. The 42-year-old Fish, also the 2020 winner, had a 26-point round at Edgewood Tahoe under the modified Stableford scoring system to finish at 83, one short of the record set by Billy Joe Tolliver in 2010. Players receive a point for par, three for birdie and six for eagle and two points are deducted for double bogey or worse. Pavelski, the Dallas Stars forward who has said he's likely retiring after 18 NHL seasons, scored 29 points Sunday. Charles Barkley had his best showing in the event in more than 25 years, tying for 58th with minus-four points.
Former tennis player Mardy Fish opens 7-point lead in American Century Championship
The Associated Press | Posted July 13 - 5:56 p.m. | Save Story
was third at 45 after scoring 21 points. Charles Barkley was tied for 52nd with three points after a zero-point day.
Rangers and restricted free agent defenseman Braden Schneider agree on contract extension
The Associated Press | Updated July 13 - 1:34 p.m. | Save Story
The New York Rangers and up-and-coming defenseman Braden Schneider have agreed on a two-year, $4.4 million contract extension. General manager Chris Drury announced the deal with the 22-year-old Schneider on Saturday, leaving fellow defenseman Ryan Lindgren as the only unsigned starter on defense. Lindgren has filed for arbitration. The announcement came a day after New York added depth to the defense, re-signing veteran Chad Ruhwedel to a one-year deal. Schneider had career highs last season in games played, assists, and points and tied his career high with five goals.
Rangers re-sign defenseman Chad Ruhwedel to a one-year contract
The Associated Press | Updated July 12 - 3:07 p.m. | Save Story
The New York Rangers have signed veteran defenseman Chad Ruhwedel to a one-year contract. General manager Chris Drury announced the signing Friday in a move that offers Zac Jones competition for a spot on the team's third pairing. Ruhwedel was acquired from Pittsburgh in March and played in five games the rest of the season as New York advanced to the Eastern Conference final, losing to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. He finished the season with a goal, three assists in 52 games.In free agency, the Rangers lost veteran starter Erik Gustafsson to the Detroit Red Wings.
North Carolina senator's top aide named CEO of Carolina Hurricanes parent company
The Associated Press | Updated July 11 - 12:41 p.m. | Save Story
A top aide to a powerful North Carolina state legislator has been named chief executive officer of the parent company of the Carolina Hurricanes. Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon announced on Thursday the hiring of Brian Fork, who has worked as state Senate leader Phil Berger's chief of staff since late 2020. A news release says Fork will oversee all business units of Hurricanes Holdings LLC. That includes the team, PNC Arena and the mixed-use real estate development plans surrounding the venue. Fork's hiring comes a few days after Dundon named Doug Warf as Hurricanes Holdings president.
St. Louis Blues sign 39-year-old defenseman Ryan Suter to 1-year deal
The Associated Press | Posted July 11 - 11:43 a.m. | Save Story
The St. Louis Blues have signed veteran defenseman Ryan Suter to a one-year contract. General manager Doug Armstrong announced the signing on Thursday, saying the 39-year-old who has spent the past three seasons in Dallas will make a base salary of $775,000. Suter had two goals and 15 assists in 82 regular-season games, and a goal and three assists in 19 postseason games with the Stars. Dallas bought out his contract roughly two weeks ago.
Utah Hockey Club re-signs Barrett Hayton to a 2-year, $5.3 million contract
The Associated Press | Posted July 8 - 4:36 p.m. | Save Story
The Utah Hockey Club has re-signed forward Barrett Hayton to a two-year contract worth $5.3 million. The contract carries an annual salary cap hit of $2.65 million through the 2025-26 NHL season. Hayton has 84 points in 209 games since making his debut in 2019 with the team formerly known as the Arizona Coyotes. Injuries limited him to just 33 games last season. The 24-year-old from Peterborough, Ontario, had 10 points in the Coyotes' final season in the desert. Hayton was the fifth pick in the 2018 draft.
Capitals promote Chris Patrick to GM, Brian MacLellan remains president of hockey operations
Stephen Whyno, Associated Press | Updated July 8 - 9:55 a.m. | Save Story
The Washington Capitals have named Chris Patrick as their general manager with longtime GM Brian MacLellan remaining president of hockey operations. The team announced the front office promotions Monday. Patrick has worked for the Capitals in various capacities since 2009 and served as assistant GM under MacLellan the past three years. The son of longtime team president Dick Patrick previously was director of player personnel after a lengthy stint as a pro scout. MacLellan spent a decade in the day-to-day GM role since taking over for George McPhee in 2014. He finished the building of the team that won the franchise's first Stanley Cup title in 2018.
Dallas Stars will start streaming their regional game broadcasts for free
The Associated Press | Posted July 8 - 8:34 a.m. | Save Story
The Dallas Stars are taking their local game broadcasts directly to consumers for free after years of fans having issues watching the team's games on a regional sports network. The NHL team announced Monday that it has entered into a seven-year agreement with A Parent Media Co. Inc. to stream all Stars regional games free of charge on a new VICTORY+ streaming service starting next season. The move comes after the Stars and financially troubled Diamond Sports Group last week mutually agreed to end their existing rights agreement for games on Bally Sports Southwest. Diamond Sports, which distributes networks under the Bally name, is working to emerge from bankruptcy.
